Notes from the Lovell Neighborhood Watch Meeting: August 23, 2006:

Our August meeting was very interesting, packed with information, and an open forum for people to ask questions. Lt, Christopher Wainwright, Sgt. Matthew Baker, Sgt. Tim Ontengco, and Deputy Tom Harriman were on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Deputy Harriman gave the incident report for July and August. Please see our Incident Report page for details, which includes court docket pages, and photos. It was upsetting to hear that Marietta Mabel Lawson (purse thief) has admitted that it is an "uncontrollable thing" and (she) "can't stop." As discussed at our June Meeting, Be sure to lock your vehicles! The difference in charges for breaking into an unlocked car and a locked one is turning a misdemeanor into a felony.

Lt. Wainwright reported the department had received some grant money for two programs to be "stepped up;" Speeding and Teen Drinking. (NOTE: Extra speed traps in town!) He also indicated it would be his honor to come back to a meeting anytime, and speak on topics of interest to the Lovell citizens. Meanwhile we all must keep our eyes and ears open. Know your neighbors. Please report all suspicious activity. Communicate!

Bridgton is now up and running with their new watch group. Fryeburg is in the planning stages of getting a watch group going. It is up to us to be good neighbors and support their effort. Most local residents drive thru neighboring towns frequently. It will help all of us to have neighborhood watch groups in all neighboring towns. If you know someone in Fryeburg, please let him or her know how simple it is to be a "watcher".

The Webmaster gave a web site update, we now have 97 members on the watch email list, and the Lovell Photo Project has started. You may bring your photos to the next meeting to be scanned and put online for you, if you can not email them in yourself.

If anyone has ideas for speakers and topics they want to cover at future meetings, please let me know.

I shared my experience as a victim going to court this month. My suggestion is to report crime, prosecute, and follow through. Going to court can be an intimidating and time consuming experience, but we as the victims have to say NO to the offenders. Be persistent. If you have to go to court and would like someone to go along as moral support, there are some of us available to do just that, so please feel free to call on us for help.

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers for the "jail" booth at Lovell Old Home Days, and their continued work with the group, gathering information, and helping to get the word out. Watch signs are available for $30 for your business, each comes with a free listing with your phone number, on this group's webpage. A Zone 4, North Lovell, contact volunteer is still needed.

Next month's speakers will be Sgt. Matthew Baker on the different levels of crimes, and fresh out of a neighborhood watch seminar, Deputy. Harriman and Sergeant Ontengco will tell us what is new and available in neighborhood watch groups. Please try to attend meetings, especially if you have questions.

Thanks to all for keeping Lovell a safer place for all of us to call home. Keep in touch please. Any and all tips are welcome.
Enjoy the changing of the season, and keep watching!
Roxanne Craig
925-3295